Birmingham Post

Why Would You Ever Go Out?

'This house has the best indoor pool I have ever sold in 15 years,' said selling agent Stuart Flint respectfully. He has sold plenty during his career, so he should know.

For What It's Worth ; a Budget Over Pounds 400,000, but Below Pounds 500,000, Could Take This Week's Purchaser to Three Counties to Choose From Listed Charm in a Top Town, Improved Family Space On the Village Edge, Spectacular Views From a Rural Conversion - or Something Brand New in Commuter Country.

15, Lower Broad Street, Ludlow, a listed town house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and enclosed gardens, guide price pounds 465,00015, Lower Broad StreetThe three storey, period town house at 15, Lower Broad Street enjoys a best location in historic Ludlow. It is a short walk from all the famous attractions including good shops and restaurants and there are views over the rooftops to the hills from its top floor.

Residential Property: Striking a Chord with Moseley ; Residential Property

A new show home is unveiled tomorrow, Saturday, February 19 at the award-winning Academy development by Laing Homes in Moseley. The mature Wake Green Road site lies opposite the St Agnes Conservation Area, was formerly a residential training centre for Britannic Assurance and will provide 76 new homes.

Residential Property: Much More Than a Conversion

In the residential conversion stakes, rural outbuildings have long lagged behind. Handicapped generally by their essential rusticity, basic barns can demand lavish fit-outs to win the higher status of a 'real house'.

Residential Property: Raise a Glass to Arden Oak

The best-heeled Midland apartment buyers might just acquire a taste for the latest luxury on offer from upmarket housebuilders Chase Homes. At its new Arden Oak scheme off the Warwick Road near Solihull centre, apartments come with their own wine cellars.

Residential Property: A New Trend in Apartment Sales at Park Central

A feature of last year's market was the rush for the smallest city flats on offer. They were quickest off the shelves as singles and investors were drawn by the lowest price tags.

Residential Property: Selling Off Plan at Portland Court

More than half of Dunstanton Homes' new Edgbaston apartments were sold off-plan in the first weeks of 2005. The independent local developer is creating nine apartment homes at Portland Court in Portland Road, Edgbaston, prices currently from pounds 160,000.

Residential Property: Partnership Combines Experience

A new joint venture between GVA Grimley and the independent John Shepherd agency is now officially launched as GVA John Shepherd New Homes. The specialist partnership offers a range of services from the identification of sites and land acquisition through to sales support.

Language of Weather Is Changing ; It's Our Favourite Topic of Conversation - If Only We Knew What It All Meant. Alexander Tulloch Explains

There's a lot of weather about these days, isn't there? At one time the weather was just the favourite topic of conversation for the inhabitants of these fair isles, but things have changed dramatically recently.

Jon Walker: Public to Take the Grin Off Blair's Face

Being mauled by West Midland voters has become an election tradition for Tony Blair. Four years ago it was Sharron Storer at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Edgbaston, angry about the state of the NHS.

Nothing Like a Dame for Hockley ; Andy Hockley, the Belgrade Theatre's Resident Panto Dame, Is Taking On a Different Kind of Transformation in His Latest Role, Writes Terry Grimley

The last time Andy Hockley was seen on the stage of the Belgrade Theare he was wearing big bloomers and a lot of lipstick. For his next appearance there, starting tomorrow, Coventry's resident dame will be trading in the skirts for short trousers to play a seven year-old in Dennis Potter's Blue Remembered Hills.

Insight and Immense Understanding of Elgar ; Review: Endellion Quartet Barber Institute, Birmingham University

In the 100 years since Sir Edward Elgar became the inaugural Professor of Music at Birmingham University, around 1500 students have graduated from the music department there. Centenary celebrations include a small, charming exhibition providing a fascinating insight into the composer's connections with the city and the university, and two concerts featuring the splendid Endellion Quartet, each preceded by a lecture from an eminent music critic.

Post People: Putsman Charity Quiz Night at Carpe Diem

Quiz competitors racked their brains as a way of making money for the victims of the Boxing Day tsunami. Putsman PLC organised a charity quiz night at Carpe Diem.

Motoring: Saab Aiming to Cash in On Growing Uk Market

Swedish car maker Saab is aiming to cash in on a growing sector of the UK car market that currently attracts more than 50,000 buyers a year. That is a fifth of all the medium-size estate cars in Europe. They also now buy more diesel-powered estate models than ever before, accounting for almost three quarters of the European total.

Motoring: Audi's A3 Given a Sportier Image

Previously reserved for the 3.2-litre petrol and twolitre diesel versions of Audi's A3 models, the sporty S line specification is now available on all quattro and DSG A3 Sportback (below) models. This means that the pounds 1,000 sports package now includes models with the two-litre turbo and turbodiesel engines where quattro drive and/or DSG are fitted.